How much fun are you having? Think about the past week or so. How many times did you do something for no other reason than it was fun? When did we all become so “adult”?

It’s true that fun doesn’t clean the house and it doesn’t pay the bills. But having fun isn’t frivolous. It’s important.

Laughter relaxes your body and increases blood flow to your heart.

Fun reduces stress and makes work feel less like work.

It’s a good remedy for fatigue.

It’s a great way to reconnect with yourself.

Sharing moments of fun brings you closer to others.

Fun puts you in the moment and out of your troubles.

Fun increases your creativity.

Having fun is good for your spirit. It’s nourishing. It’s fun!

Think of having fun as part of your self-care regimen, as valuable to your well-being as adequate rest and good nutrition. This may require a little bit of getting out of your own way. How do you think about fun? Do you feel like you deserve to have fun? If you’re not having much fun, reflect on why that is. What are your beliefs around fun? As Louise Hay says, it’s only a thought and thoughts can change. For example, if you think, “I have so much to do and so little time,” try substituting a new thought like,

“I have time for everything that’s important, including making myself happy.”

So what sounds like fun? How can you inject a bit of mirth into your daily life? Some food for thought:

Seek out and spend time with humorous, active, friendly people who seem to enjoy themselves and know creative ways to have fun.

Find groups and events that sound interesting to you and go!

Zero in on the sounds of laughter and play – at a party, in the park, or even at the office – and become part of that world.

Tell a joke - the more groan-inducing the better.

Host a game night.

Do a puzzle.

Have a water gun fight.

When’s the last time you built something with Legos?

See that frost on the window? It’s a blank canvas.

Crank up the music and dance.

Join a sports team.

Take a class (that’s completely unrelated to your work).

Paint something.

Go look at something beautiful.

It’s a cliche, “laughter is the best medicine”, but it’s a cliche for a reason. So give yourself permission. Do something today for no other reason than it brings you joy. You deserve it!

Need some help inviting more joy into your life? I would love to help -